EDWARDSVILLE • A judge has ruled that Terry Joe Sedlacek, accused of murdering a minister during a Sunday morning service in Maryville in 2009, will not face a criminal trial soon, if ever.

Sedlacek is mentally unfit to stand trial, and there is no substantial probability of that changing within a year, Madison County Circuit Judge Richard Tognarelli ruled Friday. He had heard arguments on the matter on Jan. 31.

He cited an assessment saying that even after large doses of anti-psychotic medications, Sedlacek was observed "making loud grunting noises with his arms held out and shaking his head from side to side."

Another report observed him "barking and growling," and a third said he was "laughing and making nonsensical noises."

Under Illinois law, the case now goes to a civil discharge hearing, not yet scheduled, in which he could be found not guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity — or the question of guilt could be left for future determination.

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